LAS VEGAS — Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stood side-by-side during the postgame celebration after the NBA Cup final. Antetokounmpo was holding the MVP trophy. Lillard was holding the bigger trophy.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) lifts up the NBA Cup while forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), left, and center Brook Lopez (11), right, celebrate after their team's victory in the championship game of the NBA Cup basketball tournament against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of the championship game in the NBA Cup basketball tournament Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
The two-time MVP instead was focused on figuring how the Bucks could stop their recent pattern of making things tough on themselves early in games.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) lifts up the NBA Cup while forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), left, and center Brook Lopez (11), right, celebrate after their team's victory in the championship game of the NBA Cup basketball tournament against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of the championship game in the NBA Cup basketball tournament Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)